Bengaluru has recently surpassed Mumbai to become India's "Leopard Capital," according to a year-long study conducted by wildlife biologists using camera traps. The study documented 85 leopards inhabiting the forested zones surrounding Bengaluru, compared to Mumbai's 54. This makes Bengaluru the largest metropolis with the highest known number of free-ranging big cats in India .

Key Points:

• Urban Sprawl and Habitat Encroachment: As Bengaluru's metropolitan area has expanded, natural habitats have been encroached upon, leading to increased human-wildlife interactions. The city's growth has resulted in the loss of rocky terrains and dry deciduous green landscapes, which were once home to leopards. This has forced leopards to venture into urban areas in search of food and shelter .
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: The presence of leopards in urban areas has led to several sightings and encounters. In January 2025, a leopard with cubs was spotted around Bengaluru's Banashankari area, prompting forest officials to be on high alert . Experts emphasize the need for Bengaluru to adapt and coexist with leopards, as studies have shown that leopards use the same habitats at night while humans dominate during the day .
• Conservation Efforts: The Karnataka Forest Department has been focusing on creating awareness among the community to coexist with the leopard population. Initiatives include regulating poultry waste dumps, which attract leopards at night, and promoting responsible urban development to preserve natural habitats .

In contrast, Mumbai's Sanjay Gandhi National Park has the highest density of leopards in India, alongside vast residential complexes. However, increased human encroachment and a shortage of prey density in the neighboring park have turned some leopards into man-eaters .

Bengaluru's unique position as the only state capital bordering tiger territory and now hosting the highest urban leopard population underscores the city's rich biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts in urban-adjacent natural habitats .